Digital Tools

Parallele

General introduction to Parallele

Parallele is an iPad application that uses augmented reality. Parallele is a game that helps you to learn electromagnetic concepts. Parallele is especially useful for Physics teachers who are teaching their students concepts related to the motion of charged particles in an electromagnetic field.

When Parallele is in operation, the tablet camera films whatever is in front of it, yet what it displays on the screen is a mix of reality (what is in front of the camera) and added three-dimensional elements—the augmented reality!

A student using Parallele

To operate, Parallele uses markers. These markers are maps on which specific symbols have been printed, symbols that the application is able to recognize and use to superimpose three-dimensional elements. The result is updated in real time. Parallele is a serious game that seeks to help players learn physics concepts related to the motion of charged particles in an electromagnetic field. (In the natural sciences, computer sciences, and mathematics, these concepts are connected to the course 203-NYB-05.)

The scenario of the Parallele game begins with the discovery of a Sumerian vault whose interior walls of which are covered with secret inscriptions. The player must discover the symbols in order to open a mysterious door.

To see the inscriptions, students use a particle gun that sweeps the vault interior. This sweep provides an image of the vault contents, acting much like an electronic microscope. The particle trajectory is controlled by applying electrical and magnetic fields to the walls of the vault. Thus, in order to discover the hidden symbols, students have to understand how the fields affect the particle trajectories. They then have to establish which fields to apply so as to direct the particle beam in a given direction.

The game proceeds in two stages:

With the first marker, students use the gun on a transparent cube that enables them to see the particle trajectory. They can freely adjust the electrical and magnetic fields and visualize the effect of these changes on the particle trajectory.

With the second marker, the transparent cube of the first stage is replaced by an enigmatic and opaque Sumerian vault. Students know where to direct the particle beam, but they cannot see what is happening inside the vault. By applying what they learned in stage one, they must direct the stream blindfolded, as it were, and decode the three hidden symbols in less than 30 minutes. They can use these symbols as a key to open the door that they can visualize by using the third marker.

A countdown starts when the glass cube is used. At the start the counter displays 30 minutes, but time remaining decreases when the students use the transparent cube. Students are advised to use the glass cube for as little time as possible (30 minutes being the maximum). The winning team can be the one with the most minutes remaining on the counter when the door opens.

Presentation of the tool

Particle motion in an electromagnetic field is a phenomenon that is both abstract and three-dimensional. Augmented reality is definitely useful in managing phenomena such as this. Students who played the game enjoyed being able to visualize particle motion from all angles by manipulating the beam at will. In addition, this gave them a group experience of phenomena in action that they could use together to discuss concepts to which the teacher can refer to in class.

Possible uses of Parallele by teachers or students

The application is designed to be used as a game for students. Students can play individually or in teams of two.

The teacher can explain the complete content in class and then use the game as an exam preparation or as an additional exercise. The teacher can also choose to say nothing to the students and ask them to explore the game independently.

So that students can fully exploit the game and succeed in opening the Sumerian door, they should ideally spend two or three laboratory sessions on the activity.

The Parallele application (in transparent vault mode) can also be used by the teacher for demonstrations, whether or not students themselves have played the Parallele game.

Organizational conditions that facilitate or could facilitate integration of Parallele

If students are to play the Parallele game in class or in laboratory, they must have an iPad tablet per team of two (or three) students.

Each student team must also have three markers that are required for the operation of the application. Markers are available free of charge by contacting Sylvie Daniel, tenured teacher in the Département des sciences géomatiques of Université Laval.

Should the teacher wish to demonstrate the use of the Parallele application, he or she needs a single iPad equipped with Parallele, along with some markers (or, minimally, the first of the three markers). It is very helpful to have an iPad-VGA connector, required for showing iPad screen content using a projector.

Parallele support

For Parallele user support, contact the IT Rep of your college or communicate with Sylvie Daniel, tenured teacher in the Département des sciences géomatiques at l'Université Laval, Parallele development team.

Essential references for the use or integration of Parallele (in French)

Look up the article on Parallele on Profweb but especially read the essay by Mathieu Fortin, teacher at Cégep de Sainte-Foy. Fortin, member of the Parallele development team, discusses his experience using the application in class.

Your Collegial Network Resources

ACPQ

The ACPQ (Association des collèges privés du Québec) is an umbrella organization for 25 college-level teaching establishments subsidized by MESRST. The ACPQ brings together teachers, administrators, and personnel of member colleges for pedagogical workshops that it organizes annually. It also manages support programs for research and international activities.

APOP

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AQPC

The AQPC (Association québécoise de pédagogie collégiale) promotes the support and development of college educational mastery through gatherings and publications to foster the sharing of experience as well as the adoption of research results, pedagogical innovations and information technology. Among the AQPC’s activities is their annual symposium and the Pédagogie collégiale journal.

ARC

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CCDMD

The Collegial Centre for Educational Materials Development (CCDMD) produces computer-based resources and printed documents for teachers and students of the Quebec college network. It has an impressive catalogue of educational materials and participates in a number of highly interesting projects for college teachers, including Netquiz Web, the World of Images collection as well as symposiums produced in tandem with the AQPC to improve teaching skills. The CCDMD works for you and with you!

CDC

The CDC (Centre de documentation collégiale) is the only unique library focusing on college education. The CDC has a mandate to serve francophone and anglophone Cegeps, both public and private, across Quebec. Its collection has been developed specifically to meet the information needs of teachers, professionals, managers, researchers and future teachers of the college network.

Cégep à distance

Cégep à distance is a college dedicated to distance learning. It hosts a diverse student population with a significant student population referred from within the college network. By the very nature of its courses, the Cégep à distance is at the avant-garde of technology. It makes much of the teaching material that it designs available to teachers in the Quebec college network.

DECCLIC

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IT Rep

The IT Rep/REPTIC Network is a community practice of pedagogical counsellors responsible for the integration of ICTs into Quebec colleges. IT Reps work with teachers at their school to support the pedagogical integration of ICTs. The IT Rep also ensures that the resources of ICT partners have concrete benefits in their setting.

Performa

Performa is a partner dedicated to the professional development and training of ICT savvy teachers. Performa brings together a faculty of the Université de Sherbrooke and 61 college-level institutions. Performa provides access to accredited professional development activities specifically adapted to the needs of college network teachers.

Profweb

Profweb shares inspiring teaching practices in addition to providing articles on educational and digital news from the Quebec college network. Profweb also promotes digital resources related to teaching and learning in colleges and offers a calendar of events. Finally, Profweb offers college teachers a free web hosting environment for their educational projects.

VTÉ

The mission of Vitrine Technologie-Éducation (VTÉ) is to promote and support integration of technology into postsecondary education. The VTÉ is recognized for its technology watch activities, whose results are relayed to the entire network. The VTÉ also disseminates pedagogical resources through means of its rich and comprehensive CERES catalogue—a veritable treasure chest!

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